Task: Plan a design project

Task: Interpret accessibility requirements

If you are working from a design specification, you will have to interpret this to determine exactly what accessibility criteria you have to meet. You can do this by carrying out the following four steps.

Step 1. Determine the required level of compliance

The design specification you are working to should state accessibility requirements by referring to the NDA guidelines, saying something like "The site should meet all NDA priority 1 accessibility guidelines for public access terminals".

If there is no design specification, or if the specification does not state accessibility requirements in terms of the NDA guidelines, you will have to scope the accessibility requirements yourself. Guidance for this task is given on the Planning & Procurement page.

Step 2. Consult the NDA accessibility guidelines

If you are working to a design specification that states accessibility requirements in terms ofNDA guidelines, you will have to interpret these guidelines so that you understand exactly what is required of the design. To help you interpret them, the guidelines describe the motivation and justification and give guidance on design techniques and testing methods.

Step 3. Read the introduction to each guideline

Each guideline is presented as a user-orientated goal that you have to achieve. The statements typically tell you to "Ensure this". This summarises the guideline in one short sentence, which is often not long enough to convey much information. It may also use terms that you are not familiar with. To help you, each guideline also has a link to a full explanation. This begins with an introduction, explaining in detail exactly what the guideline means. Follow that link and read the introduction.

Step 4. Read the rationale for each guideline.

Even after having read the introduction for a guideline, it can be difficult to understand why it is important. Therefore, after the introduction, each guideline also has a rationale, which describes why the guideline is important and the consequences of not meeting it. After reading this, you should have a much better idea of what you are achieving by following the guideline.

Task: Choose design and implementation techniques

If you are working to a design specification that states accessibility requirements in terms ofNDA guidelines, you will have to determine what work this will involve and choose appropriate techniques. To help you do this, each guideline comes with guidance on design and implementation techniques.

Step 1. Consult the NDA web accessibility guidelines

Step 2. Read the suggested techniques for each guideline

Each guideline has a link to a full explanation and help which includes a list of techniques. These describe different ways you might go about meeting the requirement. Note that the examples that are given are intended to be prescriptive and are not the only solutions. Wherever possible, you should develop solutions that work best within your context.